Goodbye Australia

We have had an amazing time in Australia and think that we have done our best to explore this vast continent in the time we had available. Of course we have only seen parts of it but in our minds eye it has totally lived up to our expectations and at times, exceeded them. It is inevitable that we should be asked to compare it to New Zealand but that is impossible as, although there are some similarities as they share a region within the southern hemisphere, we found them to be quite different entities.

However we can make some cheeky comparisons ……..

Wine is definitely better in New Zealand

Men are definitely blokier in Australia

The rivalry betwixt the both is bordering on obsession

Both are nutty about sport but the Aussies probably hate to lose more

Both close up shop at a ridiculously early hour of an evening

New Zealand just have it on the seafood front although Australia serve a good "Roo" steak

Australia have endless roads extending straight into the distance whereas New Zealand have roads that wind endlessly into the distance

Both gave us the best welcome we could hope for

As for Oz statistics ……

We have covered 9034 km, (2191 on road, 6843 by air) slept in 6 different beds (still together again that is) and had the pleasure of exploring 37 different stops including towns, cities and villages!

We now have so many fabulous memories thanks to Australia and at the last count, just over 1200 photos!

Lastly the casualties have been far less but no less severe:

Sunglasses Sue: 1 Tom: 0 Sue now left with a really crappy pair and so deserves classy replacement in Thailand!

T-Shirts Sue: 0 Tom: 1

Underwear Still not going there!

Hair Sue: Total mess and toms fault as not given sufficient time to visit hairdresser (sorry Lisa - I am counting on you when I get home x). Tom: Yes he managed a 5 minute trip to the barber (all it takes!)

Fines 1 for Toll ? to be sorted